The Book of James

I do not go to church anymore after a rotten debacle at the church I used to attend saw our minister and his family leave.....and quite a few others as well. So I woke up one Sunday - and I'm 'told' or I feel - I should go to church today....or maybe it was the Saturday - that I should go to church the next day - I'm not 100% on that....since time has passed and my lack of sleep means my memory is shot to pieces.

So I tell my husband Sunday morning - I'm going to church this morning. Okay sez he. So although the first church that comes to mind is my old church - me being me - I'm thinking - do I go here, do I go here oh - there's always there ( my old church). Next thing I now - husband is having a bath...I was still arguing with myself as to which church to go to - one starts at 9am, one at 9:30am the other - my old one - at 10:00am.....my husband vanishes and I slowly get dressed - nothing fancy then I look at the clock and it's 9:50am! I fin dhim in the bath tub! Well I hit the roof. What are you doing I told you I was going to church! SO! is his respones - so I said well I guess this pushes the ISSUE as to which church I go to since all the others have started I"ll be up the road thank you very much! grump grump grump.

So I go and I sit down and find out who the speaker is - he's the editor of the above mentioned magazine in the description of this topic. Truthfully, I don't really remember what his talk was about except that he said he agreed with Martin Luther, that the Book of James was a "Book of Straw" no substance to it. I will also admit I'd never read the book - had no idea as to who James was. So I skimmed a few lines of the book whilst listening and formed an impression and then asked the Editor after the service - do you really NOT like James? He said, no I do not. I gave him my impression - stressing I'd not read it but skimmed a few lines whilst listening......but that he was certainly easier to understand than Paul! He then tells me to go home, read the book, and write a 400 word article for the magazine. So here it is. It will be published in our March edition. This is written for the mag - and anyone else who like ME -had no idea who James was.....no critiquing allowed!!! LOL well you can -but it won't change my opinion.


The Book of James is generally agreed to have been written by the ‘half’-brother of Our Lord, Jesus. It has been criticised by scholars and reformists alike ( Martin Luther refers to it as “a book of straw.)

To me, the Letter written by James to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad”, does not harshly condemn those who fall or have fallen away from God’s Word and Will as some other Books or Letters seem to. I feel James speaks gently, encouragingly and beautifully, using easily understood allegories, as he reminds us of what God’s Will is and what His Word says. If anything, there does seem to be a rather obvious thread of sarcasm when James speaks of the rich and oppressive, reminding them riches mean nothing in the Eyes of God – that money does not make a man good, nor will it save him from damnation.

James is very clear on what is right and wrong, urging patience and perseverance during times of trial and oppression, reminding us that all that is good can only come from God, that we be prayerful for those in need and asks that we help those who have turned away or against the Word telling us ”let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (5:20)

He warns against being judgemental, there is only One Judge, being boastful about tomorrow, saying “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time then vanishes away.” (4:14) He also warns against pride, the “untameable tongue” and lust, not just of the sexual nature but of the pleasures and temptations of the ‘world’…all of which lead to strife, war and sins of every nature.

What this Book – this Letter, has made me wonder and consider, are the personalities of both Jesus and James – how similar were they? To me – and this is only an unscholarly opinion, James seems to echo how Jesus might have been. A gentle man with the ability to be stern as required. I do not like the term “meek” applied to Jesus as I prefer the word humble, but James comes across to me as almost like the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild” of our childhood night-time prayers.


(**referenced from NKJV Thompson Study Bible).I


Regards
Michelle Evans Catherall

Michelle, GOD has a PURPOSE for you. What you have written is very good! I'm glad you met the challenge, and have written an excellent response for the magazine. My prayer is that the Editor will understand that every BOOK in the BIBLE has a PURPOSE.